Spending IDR 20 Billion For Satria Dewa: Gatotkaca Film, Hanung Bramantyo: Cheaper Than Hollywood

JAKARTA - As a director and father of 6 children, Hanung Bramantyo wants to introduce his children to local superheroes from an early age, before they idolize foreign heroes.

The best way to introduce children to local superheroes, according to him, is through storytelling. Because of that, Hanung introduced figures such as the Pandavas, the Kauravas, and their various strengths and battles through the film Satria Dewa: Gatotkaca.

"If it's a small child, as long as the story is fun, he'll just come along. So it's up to us to make it fun or not," said Hanung, quoted from ANTARA, Monday, May 17.

Director Hanung Bramantyo revealed that the cost of making the film Satria Dewa: Gatotkaca reached more than IDR 20 billion. Superhero films do require a large amount of money, especially if they use CGI (Computer Generated Imagery) and visual effects that are done in great detail.

However, Hanung leaked that this film cost IDR 20 billion-IDR 24 billion. According to him, it's still cheap compared to other superhero movies from Hollywood especially.

"The budget is around IDR 20 billion to IDR 24 billion. So if someone says that the budget is Rp. 80 billion, that's not true. There is no half-way budget for superhero films, even in Indonesia," said Hanung in the Satria Dewa: Gatotkaca trailer launch in Depok, Friday.

Hanung said that making a superhero film is not easy, it requires a strong enough support system, including CGI and 3D effects.

The power of CGI and 3D effects aims to build the audience's imagination on the epic battles that Disney and Marvel Studios often portray.

According to Hanung, if these two things are not strong and intense, then the audience of superhero films will be disappointed and prefer to watch films from abroad.

"That's why I collaborated with Lumine Studio, with Mas Andi as the command there, it was really when we were developing this, I already imagined that I wanted this to happen, his superpower could be realized like this," he said.

"So, Mas Andi really provides that support. If it doesn't exist, we disband. We can't realize our ideas. And today's children will not be able to embrace it all," continued Hanung.

Hanung also said that the Gatotkaca shown in the film is a more modern embodiment of the classic story. However, he still displays the characteristics of Gatotkaca such as his mustache and armor.

"We made it modern, in the past, the manly man always had a mustache, that's why he became a symbol of masculinity, now it's more polished and more masculine but we don't get rid of the mustache, we make the mustache as if it's an accent," explained Hanung.

In addition to the mustache, Hanung also maintains Antakusuma's halter or clothing that allows Gatotkaca to fly even without wings. In addition, there is also a star on Gatotkaca's chest.

"Indeed, we modify the star which is cool for children now," said Hanung Bramantyo.